Shelf display device

ABSTRACT

A shelf display device including a base in the form of a mat ( 11 ) with a hinged panel ( 13 ) attachable thereto. Hinged panel is biased by a spring ( 17 ) such that product (such as glass bottles B) can be pulled or pushed over said hinged panel which displays product/price information.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a shelf display device, e.g. as used in the retail of bottled beverages.

BACKGROUND

Supermarket shelves and the like are usually constructed from sheet metal mounted on a frame with provision for adjusting the height between shelves, dependent on the items being accommodated for display. It is also common for each shelf to have a receiving channel that can hold a clip-in plastic device that displays price information etc. Such a device has been known to be configured to hold more substantial information, such as a pamphlet with promotional material.

A problem noted with conventional display shelves is that, when a bottle is pulled by a shopper over the clip-in plastic device, it can be popped out of the channel. The fallen display device then needs to be put back into place by retail staff. A similar problem is experienced when shelves are stocked in the first place, particularly if there is not a great deal of clearance between the product and the shelf above, i.e. the display tag becomes an obstruction.

SUMMARY

The present invention seeks to address these problems and/or provide a display device that can be used with available shelf systems in a retail outlet.

In one broad aspect of the invention there is provided a shelf display device including a base with a hinged panel extending therefrom.

In use, the base is a mat placed on a shelf such that the hinged panel is located at the forward edge of said shelf. The base mat may be fixed via suitable fasteners/adhesives or held in place by the weight of product stocked thereon, e.g. a glass bottle of alcoholic beverage.

Preferably, the hinged panel is spring-biased, preferably in both (forwards and backwards) directions, such that when product is pulled or pushed over said panel it automatically returns to its display/rest position.

In a preferred embodiment there are multiple panels, e.g. approximately the same width as product (a beverage bottle), arranged on the mat.

Preferably the mat includes perforations such that it can be customised to a shelf width or available product space in situ.

Preferably, the base mat includes holes (preferably perforated for removal in situ) on its surface for receiving fasteners to be affixed with a metal shelf.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an overview of a shelf display device according to the invention with multiple products (glass bottles) in place.

FIG. 2 illustrates a frontal view of a shelf display device according to the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a further frontal view.

FIG. 4 illustrates a frontal exploded view of components of the hinged panel according to the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a rear exploded view of components of the hinged panel.

FIG. 6 illustrates a frontal view showing hinged panels in three respective positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As illustrated, the shelf display device 10 according to the invention comprises a base mat 11 with a front edge ridge 12 that is able to locate thereon a hinged panel 13. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, panel 13 is primarily constructed of a connector or clip element 14 to which is hingedly attached a face element 15 in a conventional hinged arrangement, e.g. a single pivot axis X defined by spaced spigots in the clip element 14 which are received by corresponding holes in the face element 15.

The clip element 14 connects to the edge ridge 12 of base mat 11 by clipping into place in an interference fit. Alternatively, the face element 15 could be attached for hinged movement directly to a suitable molding in the base mat 11 or the connector element 14 could be slidably engaged with a front edge of the base mat in some other way.

In a yet further embodiment the connector element 14 with hinged face panel 15 could clip/attach directly to a shelf in a supermarket (provided with an edge ridge or otherwise attached by fasteners/adhesives).

As seen in FIG. 2, the base mat 11 includes a perforation 16 to enable its length to be broken into a shorter piece, such that the size of the device can be tailored to available shelf space. By way of example such perforations may be provided at foot long intervals or any appropriate dimension.

Preferably each mat unit 11 includes a dovetail 24 to enable multiple mats to be joined together.

Also visible in FIG. 2 is a keyhole perforation 22 to receive a fastener such as a push pin or screw that can join the mat 11 to a wooden or metal shelf underneath.

Multiple hinged panels 13 can be located adjacent one another as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 6. Preferably the width of a panel 13 will correspond somewhat to the product being displayed as in FIG. 6 where bottles B are removed/replaced from/to a shelf; however, as in FIG. 1, the width of hinged panels may be twice the width of a product or more. In the preferred form the hinged panel should be sized to accommodate a 750 mL, 1000 mL, 1125 mL or 1750 mL glass bottle. Likewise, the depth of mat 11 is sized to accommodate the intended product, e.g. three or four bottles deep.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate detail of the hinged panel 13; specifically showing a resilient element in the form of an L-shaped spring 17 which is received at one end by two holes in a molded part 18 of the connector element 14. The loop end of spring 17 is received by a slot 19 in the rear side of face element 15. When assembled, spring 17 provides a bias in both directions such that the hinged panel will return to an upright rest position R shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. It is intended that when a bottle B is pulled from the shelf, hinged panel 13 is able to move forward (position F) and, when a bottle B is restored to a shelf, hinged panel 13 is able to move backward (position B) if necessary.

Also in FIGS. 4 and 5, a snap-fit holder element 20 is provided that mates with suitable flanges 21 in the rear side of face element 15. This results in a compartment that can hold promotional literature (e.g. a take-away pamphlet, cocktail recipe cards) in addition to the front of face element 15 that may display pricing and basic product information. Preferably, the movement of hinged panel 13 is limited (e.g. by a stop element or maximum extension of spring 17) to prevent promotional matter from falling out but also, in the illustrated embodiment, a spring paper clip 23 in the surface of holder element 20 can be provided to secure items within the compartment.

By the nature of front ridge 12 and connector element 14 it will be appreciated that the hinged panel 13 can slide to any position on the base mat 11 to allow for any number of face panels and configurations.

The hinged panel 13 allows the customer to remove product without having to lift the bottle up and over the door, and also allows for easy restocking of the shelf by the store associates and shelf stackers.

The display device of the present invention can be molded from suitable plastics components as illustrated, however, other forms are possible within the scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A shelf display device including a base with a hinged panel extending therefrom.
 2. The shelf display device of claim 1 wherein the hinged panel is spring-biased.
 3. The shelf display device of claim 2 wherein the spring-bias is in both (forwards and backwards) directions.
 4. The shelf display device of claim 1 wherein the base is a mat and the hinged panel includes a connector element for mating with a front edge of the mat.
 5. The shelf display device of claim 1 wherein there are multiple hinged panels.
 6. The shelf display device of claim 1 wherein the base is a mat that includes perforations such that it can be customised to a shelf width or available product space in situ.
 7. The shelf display device of claim 6 wherein the mat includes holes on its surface for receiving fasteners to be affixed with a metal s.
 8. A method of displaying products using a shelf display device including a base mat with a hinged panel at an edge thereof, wherein the mat is placed on a shelf such that the hinged panel is located at the forward edge of said shelf and product is stocked behind the hinged panel. 